For three years, I’ve been taunted by a poster in my garage gym that reads “DIG DEEP.”
Think Jumanji, circa 1995—cue the drums.
I picked up the poster for free at the Leadville Race Store a few years ago while passing through on my way to Denver.
Nicknamed the “Race Across the Sky,” the Leadville 100 MTB is widely considered one of the hardest mountain bike endurance races in the world—100 miles at extreme elevation with more than 10,000 feet of climbing. Given the altitude and relentless climbing, “DIG DEEP” has become the race’s mantra.
Leadville was my first real “race.” I completed the Reliance Gravel Grinder earlier this year for fun and simply to finish. Leadville was different. Getting in isn’t easy, and I wanted to make the opportunity count.
Training meant changing a lot of things, including two important ones: my attire and my pedals. I had to get comfortable in spandex and learn to ride clipless.
I’ll save the clipless stories for another day, but let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.
As a longtime flats rider, loose clothing and biking went hand in hand. But after enough long days in the saddle, a chamois became a necessity. Fun fact: Reliance was actually the first time I wore spandex shorts without jorts hiding them.
Handup has been a staple of my riding attire for years, so I was stoked when they brought cycling kits back. I could finally rock one of my favorite brands and wear spandex. Representing Handup and Chattanooga in Leadville, the Roller Link / Party Time kit was it.
My girlfriend and I arrived in Leadville eight days before the race to scout the course and acclimate to the elevation. The best way to describe that week is like watching a storm in the distance—each day it got a little closer.
By Friday morning’s pre-race meeting, shit started to feel real. Seeing the athletes and hearing the stories only added to the excitement. That afternoon, we met up friends who had flown out to watch and help at aid stations. To thank them—and keep the crew stylish—I gave everyone a Roller Link Flexgrid shirt from Handup.
For months, race day had felt surreal. Now it was here.
I’ll never forget stepping outside that cool morning, hearing helicopters overhead and riding down Harrison Avenue toward the start line.
One pull of the trigger, and it was go time.
The race starts in town with a quick five-mile descent before the first major climb up Kevin’s Pass. The opening hour was essentially a free-for-all—hundreds of riders fighting for position and burning off their pre-race jitters.
A few days earlier, my coach had told me to “race with gratitude.”
It didn’t fully resonate until I was in it. Miles 10–20 were downhill and all smiles. The chaos had settled. It was time to race my own race and be grateful I was there.
Rounding the corner into the first aid station at mile 22, I was overwhelmed with gratitude when I saw my Roller Link crew cheering and ready with supplies.
Finally warmed up, I held a solid pace into Twin Lakes at mile 38, where the best-dressed crew in Leadville was waiting again.
Then it was time to face the elephant in the room: Columbine.
Roughly 10 miles and 3,500 feet of climbing.
Hard as shit and slow is probably the best description. Near the top, riders stretched up the mountain like ants climbing a hill.
But what goes up must come down—and damn, was the descent epic.
With the biggest climb behind me, it was time to let it rip.
Because Leadville is an out-and-back course, I saw my crew again at Twin Lakes around mile 61. I still felt awesome, and the excitement on their faces when they saw me is something I’ll never forget.
Then the race started taking its toll.
The miles to the final aid station were a grind—gradual uphill, technical sections and headwinds slowly chipping away at me. I was under-fueled and hurting, so the last aid stop was short and sweet.
It was time to finish this thing.
The gradual climbs got steeper approaching the backside of Kevin’s Pass. The 10 miles that had been downhill and all smiles earlier were now uphill and entirely mental.
The cutoff for the coveted Big Buckle was 8 hours, 15 minutes.
My watch told me one thing. My bike computer told me another.
There was only one option.
DIG DEEP.
Once I rolled over Kevin’s Pass, there were no brakes. Then, around mile 92, it started to hail.
The countless hours training through thunderstorms helped, there was no stopping—only pedaling faster.
In typical Leadville fashion, the final four miles back into town are uphill.
With three blocks left, I could finally see the finish line.
Then I saw a Roller Link shirt on my left.
Another on my right.
Then another.
My friends were there, running alongside me and screaming as I pedaled toward the finish.
8:11:59.
Three minutes to spare.
WE did it. Big Buckle earned.
My journey to Leadville was long. Most training days I rode alone, but the road there was never lonely.
I’m grateful for Handup’s support and the opportunity to prove their kits can conquer 100 miles—or more than 2,000 if you count the training. Lastly, I’m very grateful for my girlfriend, parents, and friends who supported me throughout the race and the entire journey.
For three years, that poster in my garage told me to dig deep.
Turns out, eventually I had to.
Rider and Author - Philip Payne
I’m glad that you wrote this. Very interesting to hear about all the nitty gritty from the person doing it. Well done with your race!